Reincarnation into the Barrier Master

The next morning, Chi-wan and I moved back to Dawki's store. The day before, I had worn black clothes and got into some unexplainable trouble. So today, I decided to dress a little more formally. When I asked Riko to coordinate my outfit, she told me to choose one by myself since it was time for me to feed Idea. Before the baby was born, she would have been happy to help me choose. ....... I put on my clothes, feeling a little sad.

"Oh my God!　What is it?　That outfit is ....... The colors of the top and bottom don't match at all. It's making you look dowdy. You are the king. ....... You should be a little more considerate of other people's eyes. You need to wear more slim-fitting pants instead of those ...... that make you look fat.

The moment I went down to the dining room, Rico told me I was screwed. And I followed her instructions several times. Eventually, I finally got permission to go out in the same casual style as yesterday.

When Chi-wan and I arrived at the store, Doki was working on a pastry. He got up early in the morning while it was still dark, pounded rice cakes, and went somewhere with some of the finished products, according to him. He probably brought the emperor's breakfast. When he came back a little later, he made sweet bean paste and other sweets without a break. While he was busy, he came up to us as soon as he found us and opened his mouth as he rubbed his head against the floor.

"I'm really ...... sorry about ...... yesterday. ......"

"No, no, Dawki. I don't mind. You don't have to apologize."

"But ......"

"It's okay, it's okay. But what were those women yesterday?　They framed people without permission. Was Doki all right?"

"Yes. No one came to my place. ...... I think the people from yesterday are the servants of Mr. Kwanpak."

"Kwan Pak?"

I am the Prime Minister of this country. But he doesn't do anything that would be considered prime ministerial, he just lives for his hobbies.

What's that?

"He likes to do elegant things ...... and is now holed up in a villa deep in the mountains, where he is building a garden."

A garden?

I heard that he carefully grows moss in his garden. ....... He is also planning to build a waterfall.

"Is that too good to be true?"

"Hi ......, the city has fallen into such disrepair that they have lost all interest in doing anything about it. ......"

"Why didn't you fire him and appoint a new prime minister?"

"The emperor said he understood how I felt. ....... Since then, the emperor has been in charge of everything.

Can you do that?

"...... I think it will be difficult. But since more than half of the nobles who were in charge of the government perished or fled the country during the last war, there is practically no one left to run the government. Thanks to this, ...... or not, this country is relatively free to do whatever it wants. That's why I am able to open my store and visit the emperor so easily.

"I see. So, why has the daughter of the clumsy Prime Minister been kidnapped?"

"Master Aujin, isn't it?　He is a very ...... selfish man. ....... Besides, the Prime Minister has a lot of wealth, and I think he was trying to get money by kidnapping Master Aujin. ....... This city is still not very safe."

"I see. So that selfish princess has a retainer. ....... I hope I never see her again. But still... the guy we had a good idea who did it got away... but he didn't do anything... I thought he would come to Doki's place for questioning."

"...... sorry about that."

"No, don't apologize. It was just bad luck. By the way, we brought in the salt yesterday, but it didn't fit. I thought I'd put it all outside. ......"

"Oh, thank you. I heard about it yesterday. So you can also put up wards for preservation. I really appreciate it. I would be very grateful if you could take my word for it and move it here.

With that he opens the front door of the store and walks out.

"...... It's okay. No one is home right now. It's just around the corner. This way. Please come in."

When we were led outside, we saw a wide street in front of us and a river flowing just behind it. Further in, a high wall had been erected, which stretched for a considerable distance. And far ahead, a gleaming gate could be seen.

"That is the residence of the emperor.

"It's huge."

"Yes. The palace is quite large. But since the war, it's been in a state of disrepair.

"Really?　From what I've seen, it doesn't look like it's in that bad of shape."

When I first came to live in this country, the walls were crumbling, the gardens were in shambles, and the roof was leaking. The townspeople of this country worked together to restore it little by little.

"The townspeople?"

Yes. Centered on this mansion, there are six towns in the capital, and each town has its own citizens. By the way, where I live there is also a township, and it is called the northern township.

"What do these townspeople do?"

"I run the town."

"What?"

"Since the war, the country has been in turmoil. ....... People in the capital thought that the country would be destroyed if nothing was done, so they began to take measures to defend themselves, such as hiring their own bouncers. This was the beginning of the choshu. Now there are six townspeople who run their own towns through discussions."

"It's like an independent national community."

"I don't know all the details, but after the townspeople drove out Klimiana and all the ruffians, the country was restored to normalcy. Everyone is talking to each other and governing the city, so it is becoming a good country.

"I see. Well, in a way, it might be an ideal country. So, why are these townspeople repairing the emperor's mansion?　Wouldn't you rather drive the emperor out?"

The emperor is a very noble man. When I tell you ...... about him, for some reason, I want to help you. The emperor has never ordered me to do anything, but I am helping him while the townspeople are struggling.

"What's that?　What a great story. ....... What do the townspeople get from the emperor?"

"No. The townspeople serve free of charge."

"What?"

"This is difficult to explain in words. I'm sure you will understand, Master Linos, once you meet the emperor.

"Hmm, what a mysterious king."

With these words, we were led to a warehouse-like building a short distance away from Doki's store.

"This is the warehouse that is managed by the Kitamachi shu. We still have plenty of room, so we'll bring the salt in here.

"Oh, okay. Then let's bring them in here.

Doki is showing Zhuang and the others around the warehouse. Apparently, this is a two-story building, with storage space above as well as in the basement. I say a word to Dawki and go down the stairs in front of me. ...... It's a pretty big space. I cast a light spell to brighten the room and set up a transitional ward in a convenient location.

When I went up the stairs again, Doki, Zhuang and the others were still in some kind of meeting. I walk up to them. At that moment, the door to the warehouse opened and I saw a group of strong men with dark features. They glanced at me with stern looks, but quickly averted their gazes and entered the warehouse. Then they headed straight for Dawki's place.

I have a bad feeling about this, so I hurry to Dawki's place. I have to protect him if he is going to get involved in some kind of trouble.

I've been looking for you.

The tallest of them all opens his mouth. I wait nervously for his next words. But then they get down on one knee and bow their heads.

"We've come to talk to you. Doki's husband."

Sir?　...... Doki, who the hell are you?